Pastor Herk continues that the second point for every Christian to consider from the Hebrews 6:1-12 passage of Scripture is (2) Diligence. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.” Everyone is meant to put God first in their life. But, if we are not loving and serving others, then that shows a lack of devotion to the Lord Jesus (the suffering servant), who called us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Are you diligent in your love and care for others? Sadly, there are many churches that focus on never-ending building improvements, always increasing attendance, the growing of r offerings received, evolution of exciting worship music and progressively fun and entertaining church experience rather than spiritual growth, biblical knowledge, prayer, adoration and true worship of God by the people of God and community and mission outreach and gospel ministry to others. We have been blessed, to be a blessing to others. Serving others to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, reflecting Christ in our lives and making Christ known in words or actions should bring joy and rejoicing into our lives, because Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Sacrificial service is not one that is convenient, but is a great source of joy by the intent and beneficial outcome to others.
As Christian, we are meant to diligently minister and administer the love of God to others in our sphere of influence and advance the kingdom of Heaven until Christ returns. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts. When faithful Believers choose to be diligent and persevere in our daily life and walk with the Lord, then God will empower them to love and care, share the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ, equipped with God-given ability for kingdom work to accomplish might results for Christ; living out what God called them to do. We are all called to mission-work to some degree with the Gospel message to our world around us. The associated benefit is that then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent.
Are we imitating Jesus and replicating those who have received the promise of salvation and eternal life in Christ or settled to follow someone else as a role-model? Think about the people that you follow. Do they have worldly wisdom and experienced in material issues of life? Do they believe in the true God of the Bible? Are they leading a distracted, sinful life of self-centered pleasure, prestige, power and prosperity absent of righteousness and holiness? Somebody who does not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, headed directly to Hell? Question: Is it hate to share the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ to lost sinners with the intent of leading them to the foot of the Cross for forgiveness and salvation, or is it hate not to share? Disciple means follower and the Christian is a dedicated and devoted follower of Jesus Christ. One that takes Jesus as their guide in doctrines, opinions or example; one who receives the opinions, and imitates the example of the Lord; an adherent; an imitator. All Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts. None other person, ideology or philosophy is worthy of our efforts.
Philippians 2:12b-13 “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Faithful children of God are disciples of Christ and persevere in pursuing their salvation; not just accepting it as a “one-time” gift then go on with life. This is done through diligently spending time with God in prayer, devotionals, bible reading, study and meditation on the holy Word, and walking in the Spirit, aligned with God’s holy Word, Will and Way for truth and righteousness.
Hebrews 6:13-20 “For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So, God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Pastor Herk’s third point for every Christian to consider from this passage of Scripture is (3) Declaration. God’s nature of truth is unchanging. Numbers 23:19-20 tells us, “God is not a man, that He would lie, nor a son of man, that He would change His mind; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, I cannot revoke it.” In the declarations of God, we have powerful hope. God is the anchor of our hope; our refuge in tribulation, our Keep in the trials and our safe harbor in the storms of life; our Providence and Peace. Our declaration is that our firm, certain and sure hope in Jesus Christ is secure, that we can spend our lives working towards that true salvation. Our hope has a name: Jesus. Practice faithful perseverance, go in peace and serve the Lord.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus’ Name. When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.
In Christ, Brian
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